The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1887-10-27


She presently came upon o packet neatly
tied up with red ribbon and sealed. She
pinched it. 1t evidently contained a photo
graph for she felt tie cardboard, and there
was something soft that might be a glove;
and surely those were withered flowers that
cracked as she pressed them! And the more
lumpy Enclosure must be letters. Should she
unite the ribbon and break the seall But
time was passing and there was really no ne
cessity Then she turned the packet over
ana found an inscription that settled the
question. In mans writing were the
words: LIS likeness and letters. Very
precious"
"Poor Geoff! Poor, dear fellow! How de
votedly lie loves herl am so sorry for him.
Very precious, he calls them" Rosalind
murmured. But precious or not, | must
rob him of them. We cannot lose Tom. I
wonder what Lefty will say when she sees
them! Now, l wish were safely out of this.
must write the tiniest scrap of a note and
leave 1t for poor, dear Ceoff." She closed
the drawer, put the packet in her rocket
and wrote hastily on half sheet of paper
VI. IS sister has taken what you have no right
to keep against her will"
She had just addressed the enyelope when
she heard steps on the stairs: in another
moment the door was opened and hand
some young man came in.
How awkward!" thought RoSalind. "But
must keep up the character of Townsend,s
sister. Who i'll the world is hep
Inc new conner stood still and stared at her
one was the prettest girl he had seen for
many day. She made him q little bow.
u am Mr. Townsend's sister," she said, "and
expect him every moment; he does not ex-
pect me until tomorrow. Did not the land
lady tell You was herel'
"She-she-she did," the Young man
gasped.
What donkey lie isl" thought merciless
Rosalind, quite at her ease, although she had
Just been robhing drawer. 81 wonder if
you would mind going to look for my
orother!, she said aloud in the sweetest mar
her' 1T would be so very kidd. 1t is
awkward to be here all alone with-peope
coming in" She gave him little smile to
indicate that he was one of the people. 81
have to go to the station for my luggage
what dreadful stories am telling! she added
to herself; then aloud, land perhaps by the
time come back he will be here"
"Oh, you will come back, will you? But
lts raining cats and dogs! You'll be
drenchedn
''Oh, dear, no! / have waterproof" and
Rosalind took up her cloak "Thank you.D
as the young man rushed forward and nut it
round her shoulders. "a sd YOU will 90 and
find--Gerard for me-" oze said turning to
him with the sweetest smile. There was the
slightest possible hesitation before she said
the name. He noticed nothing but the beauty
OF her eyes. "Thank you very muchl"
She was gone before he recovered himself,
and when GeOf Hamilton came into the
sitting room at No. 10 a few minutes later he
found his friend Townsend hanging out of a
window.
Halo, Gee" he said, whats p9 You look
dazed. Seen u ghost?"
mo; but the prettiest girl in the world.
She was here. She said she was my sister
She asked me to go and look for myself
whHe she went to the station for her lug
gage"
"Then she'll be back?n
mot she; she turned the other way.n
"Then who in the world is she, and what
brought her here?"
VI suspect you know all about that you
rascal. She's one of your army of martyrs,
take it."
Rubbish. I am the martyr. What's
this" He had picked up Rosalind's note
from the writing table. sc. Hamilton,
Esq Now for the heart of the mystery"
lie opened the note and read it, Then he
threw himself into a chair with a very red
face. Then he laughed. Then am afraid
he swore.
Meanwhile Rosalind, with her heart thunp
ing half with fright and half with triumph.
was speeding homeward. She flew to Letty,s
room and found that young person on her
bed reading novel.
"There," Rosie cried throwing down the
packet 'never say again that am not vour
best friend. There are your letters and your
photograph, and all the keepsakes you gave
that poor, dear man from time to time and
you ought to he ashamed of yourself.n
"What| cried unabashed Lefty. "Did be
give them ups He is a darling
NO" answered Rosalind, calmly, 81 stole
them"
ooh, you dear delightful darling. How
sweet of you. Poor boy, how sorry he will
be! But what fun. What is this written
outside' LIS likeness and letters, very pre-
cious.' Poor, dear Geoff, how fond he is of
me!' And she gave little sentimental sigh.
Had you not better open the thing and
see if you have them all right?" said practical
Rosie. Here, cut the knott
No sooner said than done. A cabinet pho. |
tograph fell out, then piece of deep crimson
ribbon, few faded flowers, and two or three
notes.
"This is such good likeness Tom had bet.
ter have ii" said Lefty, as she took I'M the
picture, which had fallen face downward ON |
the bed. "Look, Rosie!n
Rosie looked, and behold, it was likeness
Of a tall, handsome girl, who bore not the
slightest resemblance to handsome little LEFTY.
Beneath was written in a firm and dashing
woman's hand the word "Louie."
The sisters looked at one another with
blank faces. A glance at the notes revealed
the same dashing hand. $50 YOU are not the
only one, and made a fool of myself and
robbed the mans drawer for nothingln cried
Rosa'ind. "Oh, if had but known"
"Never mind, DEAR" said Lefty; 81 am sure
l don't But wish | knew what he sees to
admire in that black woman. Just pack her
up and send her back to him."
A tap at the door interrupted them. It was
a maid to announce that Mr. Townsend was
in the drawing room. He wanted to see Miss
Maitland for a few minutes on business He
had a message and a little packet to deliver.
"Te Mr.. Townsend am coming DIRECTLY
said Rosalind.
n